Neck pain is a common health concern, and what people don't realize right away is how it can make your day a lot harder because of affected mobility in the neck area. As the saying goes, you don't know what you've got until it's gone; well, in the case of neck pain, you won't be able to fully appreciate the importance of its uninhibited mobility until you can’t turn your head due to a stiff neck.
There are several possible causes why neck pain occurs. It doesn't just magically appear when you wake up one day; it can also be your body telling you to look closely at a specific body part. For example, sometimes you can have upper neck pain, or you can notice discomfort in the lower part, close to your shoulders. Getting as much information as possible about your neck pain's root cause is the key to finding a remedy. Here are potential reasons behind your neck pain:
Also called cervical spondylosis, it is a common concern among the elderly or seniors. Osteoarthritis tends to worsen as a person ages. Approximately 85% of people over 60 years old are affected by this condition. The most common osteoarthritis symptoms include pain, neck stiffness and headaches. In rare cases, a person's nerves can get trapped, leading to radiating pain in the arms.
Osteoarthritis, however, is not just limited to the elderly. Younger individuals can also develop this condition, especially those who endured a head or neck injury from a car or sports accident. Usually, injuries or physical trauma can lead to a misalignment of the upper cervical bones that can negatively impact the nerves and muscles in the area. This can result in persistent pain even after taking pain medication.
Both disc degeneration and bone spur overgrowth can lead to cervical osteoarthritis causing neck pain. This is because of the narrowing of the spaces in the spinal column, irritating the nerves passing through the spinal cord. Disc generation disease also tends to hurt the surrounding nerves and muscles.
As you age, your intervertebral discs tend to deteriorate over time, making them less efficient in preventing friction between the bones in your spine. Hence disc degeneration diseases are common in the elderly as well.
This condition in the spine leads to the narrowing of the vertebral canal, making your spinal nerve more prone to stress, irritation, or compression. Spinal stenosis also disrupts communication between your brain and the nerves.
This condition triggers neck pain, muscle weakness, usually in the legs or arms, and bladder incontinence. When you notice these symptoms, coordinate with your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
People living with fibromyalgia are familiar with the widespread pain it brings all over the body. It also brings tenderness, fatigue, and even mental health challenges. It's not uncommon for patients to experience neck pain and stiffness.
Other fibromyalgia symptoms include body pains, chronic fatigue, brain fog, or cognitive disruption, such as forgetfulness, concentration difficulties, or mental slowness. Other accompanying symptoms include vertigo, migraines, upper neck pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Upper neck pain can stem from bad posture. With the rise of the population working remotely nowadays, the desk set-up is sometimes not ideal for supporting your neck and back. This increases your risks for painful disorders and problems, including neck pain.
Good posture is not just limited when a person is standing. It must continuously be maintained even when sitting and lying down to avoid upper neck pain and discomfort in the long run.
Many upper cervical chiropractic care patients have a history of neck trauma or injury affecting their lives. Despite recovering from sustained injuries, you can still experience persistent neck pain possibly related to cervical subluxation, commonly referred to as cervical bone misalignment.
Most chronic upper neck pain, or neck pain generally, develops from a misalignment in the upper neck bones. These upper neck bones are called the C1 and C2 vertebrae. By correcting the misalignment and restoring the cervical spine's neutral curvature, your symptoms can potentially disappear for lasting relief.
Chiropractic care is a natural, safe, gentle, and effective natural remedy for neck pain that stems from injury, illness, or a condition. If you are experiencing chronic and worsening neck pain or stiffness in your neck area, perhaps it's time to schedule a visit with a trusted chiropractor. An Upper Cervical specific chiropractor, in particular, will focus on the balance and alignment of your upper cervical spine in your neck area.
When you visit an Upper Cervical chiropractor, they will evaluate your medical history, do a physical exam, and order x-rays if necessary. Suppose any of the causes of your neck pain points to upper cervical spine misalignment. In that case, they will present you with a recommended series of adjustments and possibly add exercises and stretches you can easily do at home to help reduce the pain you feel.
If your C1 and C2 vertebrae are out of alignment, it affects the rest of your spine and tissues, joints, and muscles. Therefore, by ensuring your spine is generally healthy and in proper alignment, there's a good chance that your neck pain will improve, and other symptoms can potentially disappear.
To get you started with Upper Cervical Chiropractic care, visit the Upper Cervical Awareness Doctors' Portal for the list of reputable and board-certified Upper Cervical specific chiropractors in the country.
Don't ignore neck pain. Best to call an Upper Cervical chiropractor today!
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
